Drop device or detector for looms.



F. B. ASHTON.

DROP DEVIGB on DETECTOR FOB. Looms.

APPLIOATIOH FILED 1130.14, 1912.

Patented Nov. 3, 191i i g \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\N\\\\\\\\IU UNITED STACEES OFFICE.

FRANCIS E. ASHTON, OF EXETEB, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOB TO DRAPER COMPANY, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

DROP DEVICE OR DETECTOR FOR LOOKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

7 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS E. ASHTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Exeter, in the county of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in Drop Devices or Detectors for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to devices or detectors employed in looms for detecting breakage or abnormal condition of a warp thread, and upon such detection to cause actuation of suitable means for sto ping the loom. As well understood by tiose skilled in the art, these drop devices or detectors ale hung upon the warp threads, and are usuall constructed with a warp eye through whic one or more warp threads pass, so that upon breakage or abnormal slackness of a warp thread, the drop device or detector supported thereby will drop to a position to cause the actuation of means to stop the loom. To draw the individual war threads through the eyes of the series of rop devices or detectors by hand is a slow and ex ensive operation, and means have been evised for performing this oflice by mechanical o ration. To enable the drawing-in neede to properly pass through the warp eye of the drop device or detector and engage and draw a warp thread therethrough, it has been found necessary to provide means to present the drop devices or detectors individually to the action of the needle. This has been done by means of a feeding device in the form of u worm which is assed through a suitable feed opening in the drop devices or detectors, so that upon rotation of the worm the drop devices or detectors would be offered individually for the action of the needle, and to facilitate a proper separation and individual presentation of the dro devices or detectors, these feed openings ave been formed as keyhole openings. f, however, these key-hole openings are in line when .the drop devices or detectors are hun upon their sup )ort or placed in their gui ing devices in he loom, it is found that lint will accumulate therein and eventually form a rope-like strand extending through the series of drop devices or detectors, with the n-sult that upon the occurrence of a warp fault, the drop device or detector that should make manifest this fault and stop the loom, will remain supported by this rope-like strand of lint and fail to operate the stopping means. It therefore becomes necessarthat these feed or key-hole openings in ad jacent drop devices or detectors shall be so placed that when the drop devices or detectors are in the loom, said openings shall be out of line. Thus, while lint may still accumulate in said openings during the loom operation, there will be an interruption of any rope-like lint formation, and upon the occurrence of a warp fault, the drop device or detector may drop and assume control of the warp stop motion. When, however, these feed or key-hole openings are thus placed in different positions in the drop devices or detectors, it is impossible to pass the feed worm through the series of drop devices or detectors without first lining up such openings.

lVith these generally-stated facts in mind, the aims and purposes of the present invention will best be made clear from the following description and accompanying drawings of one form of means for carrying the invention into practical eifect, it bein understood, however, that the invention 1s not limited to the details thereof, but may be varied within the true scope of the invention as ointed out by the claims.

n the drawings :-Figure 1 shows in side elevation 21 series of dro devices or detectors and one way in whic the same may be leveled or lined up to present the feed or key-hole openings in line for the passage of the feed screw or other feedin means; Fig. 2 is a section of Fig. 1 on the 'ne 2-2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section of Fig. 1 on the line 3-3, Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows one of the drop devices or detectors in front elevation; and Fig. 5 shows a like view of an adjacent drop device or detector.

The drop devices or detectors may be variously formed and of an suitable material, but for the purpose 0 exploiting the invention, they are herein shown as formed of flat strips of metal 1, each having the usual warp eye 2 for the passage of a warp thread, and a guide slot or openin 3 by which they may be suitably guided lay the usual uide bar in the loom. Obviously, the guide slot 3 may be varied in osition with respect to the warp eye 2, an indeed the drop devices or detectors may he guided in their rising and falling movement by any suitable means in the loom, as will be clearly understood.

The drop devices or detectors, are each provided with a feed 0 ening 4, which, when a worm is employe for individually separating and presenting the drop devices or detectors to the action of the drawing-in needle, are preferably formed of key-hole shape, as shown. The feed or key-hole opening 4 in one drop device or detector in a series of such drop devices or detectors, is located at a difi'erent position with respect to the warp eye 2, than isthe feed or key-hole opening of the next adjacent drop device or detector. In the form of the invention shown, the position of the feed or key-hole opening in one drop device or detector is shown nearer the warp eye in a vertical direction than is the feed or kc -hole opening of the next adjacent drop evice or detector, so that when the series of drop devices or detectors are hun upon the guide bar in the loom. the keyole openin in adjacent drop devices or detectors wi 1 be out of line. and the objectionable rope of lint extending between the said detectors cannot be formed, and roper operation of the stop motion may initiated by the dropping of any one of said drop devices or etectors. The position of the key-hole openings in adjacent drop devices or detectors when in the loom is well indicated by the full and dotted lines in Fig. 2.

It will be noted by reference to the drawings that the non-c1rcular portion 5 of the key-hole openings 4 in adjacent dro devices or detectors extend in dillerent directions, whereby when the dro devices or detectors are similarly arrange upon the feed worm of the drawing-in machine, the said drop devices or detectors will travel along the worm in separated relation, as the worm is revolved, thereby resenting each drop device or detector individually to the drawingin needle, as will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art.

As hereinbefore suggested, it is necessary to bring the key-hole openings of all the dro devices or detectors in iine before the feed worm can be passed therethrough, and to this end the present invention contempistes providing the drop devices or detectors of a series with a leveling notch which in coliperation with a leveling trough or block to be described, serves to secure the desired alinement of the key-hole opening for the entrance of the worm. As one means to this end every alternate drop device or detector of a series is provided with a notch 6, which for the purpose of identification, ma be known as the ieveling notch, such term, however, being one of identification only and not of limitation; theconstruction hbin such that when a series of such drop devices or detectors are laced in a leveling trough or block, to be ascribed, the key-hole opening of all the drop devices or detectors will assume such alinement that the feed screw may readily be passed through the series.

The leveling trough or block in one of its preferred forms, is indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, and comprises a base portion 7 provided with upwardly projecting sides 8, 8, preferably separateda distance sufiicient to receive the lower ends of the drop devices or detectors, as indicated by Figs. 1 and 3. Extending longitudinally between the sides 8, 8, is a leveling rib or projecting flange 9 adapted to receive the eveling notches 6 of alternate drop devices or detectors, the construction being such that when a series of drop devices or detectors, alternate ones of which have the leveling notch 6, are placed with their ends in the trou h or evelin block 7, as indicated in 1g. 3, those rop devices o'r'detectors unprovided with the leve' notch 6 will be raised higher than the a tomato drop devices or detectois having the leveling notch 6. Inasmuch therefore, as the drop devices or detectors provided with the leveling notch have ,the key-hole opening closer to the warp eye than those without the leveling notch, the key-hole openin of all the drop devices or detectors will e brought into inement, as indicated by Figs. 1 and 3. I

In operation, a series of drop devices or detectors of the general character described, are placed 11 on a supporting bar 10, Fig. 1, the width 0 which is preferably less than the length of the uide o nings 3, by an amount substantial v equa to the depth of the leveling slot 6, and the leveling tron h or block 7 is then moved along beneath t e series of drop devices or detectors, thus aliniu the key-hole openings as described, and tie feed screw is then progressively entered into the alined key-hole openings. Obviously, instead of moving the leveling trough or block progressively beneath the series of drop devices or detectors, the latter may be placed in the leveling tron h and all lined up or leveled so that the fee screw may enter the alined openin and instead of onterin the screw as in icated in Fig. 1. its end f2 may be entered first, the essentials in these respects being that the drop devices or detectors be provided with a leveling notch in such position that when placed in a leveling trough provided with means for ooiiperation with said leveling notchcs,,thc series of drop devices or dotectors may be leveled to bring the feed or keyhole openings of all into alinemont for entrance of the feed device.

In the drawings the leveling trough or block 7 is shown as having the rib or flange 9 extending beyond the end thereof, and this is found to be a good practical form of the leveling trough or block, especially when it is to be moved along beneath the series of detectors, as described, but obviously this is not necessary in all cases and may omitted where the leveling trough is made longer to receive and level a greater number of drop devices or detectors. It will be clear to those skilled in the art. also that the leveling notch may be differently shaped or differently formed and be lorated at other points if desired and that variations of the leveling trough or block may be made within the true scope of the invention, as defined by the claims. It will be noted also that the formation of the leveling notch is so far removed from the warp eye of the drop devices or detectors, that in the operation of the loom it does not meet, chafe, or otherwise injure the warp threads leading from an adjacent row or series of drop devices or detectors, it being understood that in usual practice there are two series of drop devices or detectors arranged in parallel relation transversely of the loom; and by formin the leveling notch adjacent an end portion of the drop devices or detectors, injurious weakening of the drop devices or detectors is avoided.

What is claimed is rl. A drop device or warp detector for looms, having a warp eye for the passage of a warp thread, a feed opening. and a leveling notch extending from an outer edge into the body of the device or detector.

A drop device or warp detector for looms, having a warp eye for the passage of u warp thread, a key-hole feed opening, and an open leveling notch extending from the edge of the device or detector.

3. A drop device or warp detector for looms, having a warp eye for the passage of a warp thread, a feed opening, and a leveling notch, said leveling notch being located adjacent an end portion of said detector or drop device.

4. In a device of the character described, a series of drop devices or detectors, each having a warp eye, and feed opening, said feed opening in adjacent drop devices or detectors being located at different positions with respect to the warp eye, alternate drop devices or detectors being )rovided with a leveling notch, and means adapted to engage the leveling notches of said alternate drop devices or detectors and unnotehed portions of the other drop devices or detectors for lining up the feed openmus.

Ii. In a device of the character described, a series of drop devices or detectors each havii a warp eye and keyhole feed 0 ening, said key-hole feed opening being difl drently located in adjacent drop deviixis or detectors.

a part only of the drop'devices or detectors of the series being provided with a leveling notch, and means for engaging the unnoiched drop devices or detectors and the leveling notches of the other drop devices or detectors for lining up the drop devices or detect rs with the key-hole openings in substantia alinement.

6. In a device of the character described, a series of drop devices or detectors each having a warp eye and a key-hole opening, the key-hole openings in ad acent dro devices or detectors being arranged at di erent positions with respect to the warp eye, and the non-circular portions thereof extending in different directions, and alternate drop devices or detectors of the series being pro vided with a leveling notch.

7. In a device of the character described, a series of drop devices or detectors each hav ing a warp eye and feed opening, said feed openings being out of alinement, and leveling means to act upon the exterior of the drop devices or detectors to bring the feed openings into alinement.

8. In a device of the character described, a series of drop devices or detectors each having a warp eye and a feed 0 ening, the said feed openings being at di erent distances from the warp eye in adjacent drop devices or detectors, alternate drop devices or detectors being provided with a leveling notch, and a leveling trou h or block adapted to receive said drop evices or detectors and bring the feed openings into alinement.

9. A drop device or detector for looms, having a warp eye, a key-hole opening, and an open leveling notch extending into an edge portion 0 the drop device or detector.

10. An assemblage of independent thread engaging loom elements, such as drop wires, detached heddles or the like, having each a threading opening and a releasing opening, successive releasing openings being differentially arranged to present an alternate variation in form between successive members, means to support the assembled members with releasing openings out of alinement, and means to exteriorly engage an edge portion of and support said members with the said openings in alinement.

11. An assemblage of independent threadengaging loom elements, such as drop Wires, detached heddles or the like, each having a threading opening and a releasing opening, means to support the members of the series with the releasing openings out of alinement, and means to extcriorly engage and support'the same with said openings in alinemefit.

12. .\n assemblage of independent thread engaging lO 'JHE cl an-rite, such as drop bars, detached hedailes or the like. each having a threading opening means for supporting the same with the threading openings in line, and means to exteriorly engage and snnport the same with the threading openings out of line.

5 13. An assemblage of independent thread engaging loom elements, such as drop bars, detached heddles or the like, each having a threading opening and alternate ones having in addition alining means uniformly 10 spaced from the said threading openings.

14. An independent detached heddle having a threading opening, a releasing opensided notch and an alining opening.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence 15 of two subscribin witnesses.

F ANCIS E. ASHTON.

Witnesses:

I. SPENCER HYDE, FRED S. FELIDWEB.

the same with the threading openings in line, and means to exteriorly engage and support the same with the threading openings out of line.

5 13. An assemblage of independent thread engaging loom elements, such as drop bars, detached heddles or the like, each having a threading opening and alternate ones having in addition alining means uniformly 10 spaced from the said threading openings.

in the Patent Oflice.

Corrections in Letters Patent No. 1.1 I 6.003. I

Signed and sealed this 24th day of November, A. 1)., 1914.

14. An independent detached heddle having a threading opening, a releasing opensided notch and an alining opening.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence 15 of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS E. ASHTON.

Witnesses:

I. SPENCER HYDE, FRED'S. Fauowns.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,116,003, granted November 3, 1914, upon the application of Francis E. Ashton, of Exeter, New Hampshire, for

an improvement in Drop Devices or Detectors for Looms, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 4, lines 12--13, for the ,words opensided notch read opening; same page, line 13, for the word opening read open-sided notch; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case R. F. WHITEHEAD,

Acting Commiuiorwr of Palm.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,116,003, granted November 3,

1914-, upon the application of Francis E. Ashton, of Exeter, New Hampshire, for

an improvement in Drop Devices or Detectors for Looms, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 4, lines 12-13, for the words open-sided notch read opening, same page, line 13, for the word opening read open-aided notch,- and that the ssid Letters Patent should he read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the use in the Patent Oflioe.

Signed and sealed this 24th day of November, A. D., 1914. v

R. F. WHITEHEAD,

Acting C'omiunbrwr of Patents.

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